How Old is a Pottery Shard with 50% Carbon-14 Remaining?
Quick Answer
The pottery shard is approximately 5730 years old, as it retains 50% of its original Carbon-14. This indicates that it has gone through one half-life of Carbon-14, which lasts 5730 years.
Carbon-14 dating is a scientific method used to determine the age of organic materials, such as pottery, by measuring the amount of Carbon-14 they contain. This technique is based on the concept of half-life, which is the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay. In the case of Carbon-14, the half-life is approximately 5730 years.
When scientists discovered a pottery shard in the Amazon basin of Brazil, they used Carbon-14 dating to assess its age. They found that the shard contained 50% of its original Carbon-14. This finding is significant because it directly correlates with the concept of half-life. If we start with 100% of Carbon-14, after one half-life (5730 years), we would expect to have 50% remaining. Therefore, the presence of 50% Carbon-14 in the pottery shard indicates that it is about one half-life old, or approximately 5730 years.
To better understand this concept, let’s break it down further:
1. **Understanding Half-Life**: The half-life of a substance is a critical concept in nuclear chemistry and physics. It’s not just limited to Carbon-14; every radioactive isotope has its own unique half-life. For instance, Uranium-238 has a half-life of over 4.5 billion years, while Iodine-131 has a half-life of only 8 days. In each case, the half-life helps scientists determine the age of materials containing these isotopes.
2. **Real-World Applications**: Carbon-14 dating is widely used in archaeology, paleontology, and geology to date ancient organic materials. This method has helped researchers to date artifacts, fossils, and even ancient human remains, providing a glimpse into our planet's history.
3. **Example Calculation**: Let’s say you find another artifact with 25% Carbon-14 remaining. To determine its age, you could set up a simple calculation: if 100% decays to 50% in one half-life (5730 years) and then to 25% in a second half-life, you would conclude that this artifact is about 2 half-lives old, or approximately 11460 years (5730 years x 2).
Understanding how to apply the concept of half-life is not only crucial for scientific studies but also enhances critical thinking skills. By grasping these principles, students can appreciate the depth of scientific inquiry and how it connects to the world around them.
In conclusion, the pottery shard found in Brazil, with 50% of its original Carbon-14 remaining, is approximately 5730 years old, reflecting the fascinating world of radiocarbon dating and its applications in understanding our history.
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